Fabulous Hillcrest

San Diego is made up of many cities and communities within the county. You can live in almost any kind of environment you like, from urban to country or from coastal to desert. There is every type of terrain and setting you can imagine. Among the diverse places in San Diego, Hillcrest is one of the most unique and special communities that San Diego has to offer.

There are many things that make Hillcrest distinct. It has the charm of yesteryear with the old world architecture of homes and buildings. It is adjacent to the world famous 1400 acre Balboa Park and is a vibrant urban village with well over a hundred different restaurants, coffee shops, specialty stores, quaint cafes, book stores, bars and clubs. Hillcrest even has its own weekly farmers market and its own post office. It is a community that offers great walk-ability, which is what most people are looking for today when buying or renting a home. Hillcrest is a very diverse community and has everything that exemplifies a pedestrian-friendly, lively, urban neighborhood. Hillcrest has evolved over the decades to become the festive and desirable place it is today. It celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2007 and today its residents enjoy a strong feeling of community for their special neighborhood. Hillcrest was even selected to be one of the top ten neighborhoods in America in 2007 by the American Planning Association. There are many things that have contributed to the desirability of today’s Hillcrest. One of the significant contributing factors has been the Hillcrest Town Council.

The Hillcrest Town Council is a volunteer based organization with the mission statement to provide a voice to enhance the quality of life for Hillcrest residents while supporting actions that benefit the neighborhood. It meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Joyce Beers Community Center in Hillcrest, next to Trader Joe’s. The Hillcrest Town Council is run by volunteers and is governed by the members of its board. Everyone is invited to attend the monthly meetings to be informed on current issues relating to Hillcrest, and other related local matters, and to share any related ideas that they may have. To learn more about the Hillcrest Town Council go to their new and improved Web site at HillcrestTownCouncil.com.

Hillcrest is a wonderful community with something for everyone. In addition to its regular offerings of international cuisines, shopping, bakeries, coffee shops and watering holes, there are many special events that take place in Hillcrest. Listed below are a few good examples:

CityFest: This annual summer celebration along Fifth Avenue features arts and crafts, a variety of vendors, several stages with live music, dancing, face-painting, performances, lantern-making, merrymaking, games, a beer garden and more. The artsy event draws over 150,000 people.

Toast of Hillcrest: The Toast of Hillcrest offers samples of cuisine and desserts from dozens of local restaurants. The event is a self-guided tour through the streets of Hillcrest. Be prepared to overeat and have a lot of fun.

Pride parade and festival: The famous cultural festival includes multiple stages of entertainment, with many musicians, bands, comedy acts and dance performances, hundreds of participating vendor booths, art exhibits, cultural presentations and great food. Highlights include: Three entertainment stages, farmers market, dance floors, beer gardens, wine grotto, cool zone for those 55+, leather realm, interfaith pavilion, local LGBT artists, youth zone and children’s garden. Families, youth and people of all ages are welcome to participate in the annual LGBT Pride parade and festival. This is a two-day event and has become a premier Pride event in California.

Sunday Farmers Market: The Hillcrest Farmers Market currently consists of 125 vendors offering a wide variety of locally grown in-season fruit, produce, gifts, arts and crafts and flowers. Many of the local California farmers participating in the market grow their produce organically or with no pesticides. The market also hosts a large variety of prepared food and hot food items with an emphasis on international cuisine. It is located on Normal Street, just north of University Avenue and is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday.

Mardi Gras: Features live music and festivities, an exclusive V.I.P. area, food, liquor, party favors and more. The celebration is open to anyone 21 years of age and up. The Hillcrest Mardi Gras is held in March of each year and usually attracts a couple thousand people.

Nightmare on Normal Street: This annual event takes place on Normal Street, just north of University Avenue, which is transformed into a fun and exciting Halloween party. The streets are filled with people showing off their elaborate costumes and mingling about in an entertaining fashion while enjoying food, music, cocktails, street dancing and a crazy costume contest.

Hillcrest is simply a fabulous place to live, work and play. It is a very special place, that I am proud to call my home.

Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent

and a member of the National, California and

San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Trent at trent@tns.net or at his office in Hillcrest, The Metropolitan Group. DRE#01273643.